We must proclaim the Gospel. We must not shy away from it, or be ashamed of it.

Still, if everyone goes out and preaches – and no one makes disciples, or raises up more preachers – we will not multiply.

Around us, some populations are growing fast, others are growing slowly, and still others are shrinking. But the populations growing fastest are the ones that are the least Christian. Moreover, throughout all populations, ideas are spreading even faster–and many of these ideas are in competition with Christianity for the allegiance of souls.

We cannot simply all go out and preach. We must be about the business of multiplying the size and influence of the church, or we will find that while we add a few souls here and there, we lose more through the back doors, and we shrink in proportion to the wider population.

To use an old proverb, we might win some battles but ultimately lose wars.